For a government that claims it has no interest in producing a nuclear weapon, the Iranian regime has been and is engaging in nuclear-related activities that demand an explanation. And, as a signatory to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty Safeguards Agreement, Iran has a duty to do so by cooperating with the International Atomic Energy Agency, the IAEA.
However, as Laura Holgate, U.S. Representative to the Vienna Office of the United Nations and the IAEA, pointed out in recent remarks to the IAEA Board of Governors, in his latest report, Director General Rafael Grossi “underscores that Iran continues to act in a manner that … ‘directly and seriously affects the Agency’s ability to conduct effectively its verifications activities in Iran, in particular at the enrichment facilities.’” She noted Director General Grossi’s concern that Iran has severed the IAEA’s continuity of knowledge regarding its production and inventory of centrifuge components, particularly, she said, “given Iran’s past track record of hiding enrichment activities and facilities.”
Ambassador Holgate pointed out Iran continues to stockpile uranium enriched to 60 percent, “counter to the behavior of all other non-nuclear weapons states party to the NPT.” In addition, she recalled Iran’s decision in September to de-designate experienced IAEA inspectors, which has a deleterious effect on the IAEA’s ability to carry out its verification activities.
The move to bar the inspectors follows Iran’s undeclared modification of advanced centrifuge cascades at Fordow in 2023, “a clear violation of Iran’s safeguards obligations,” she noted, and it also follows the Agency’s subsequent detection at Fordow of uranium particles enriched to more than 80 percent. “Iran’s actions have intensified tensions and pushed unprecedented boundaries. Iran should take steps to build international confidence rather than continue to undermine the Agency’s essential assurances. Iran’s level of cooperation with the Agency remains unacceptable,” said Ambassador Holgate.
In subsequent remarks to the IAEA Board, Ambassador Holgate said, “We believe we have come to the point that we and the broader international community must consider anew how to respond to Iran’s continued stonewalling. … We must consider further action in an effort to gain the assurances that the international community needs about the nature of Iran’s nuclear program, especially as Iran continues to build nuclear capacity that could be relevant to a nuclear weapons program should Iran decide once again to take up such an effort.”
